The T-Rex Ego Boost n' Drive is an overdrive pedal with a built-in boost function. T-Rex describes its sound as "a rich, warm, tubey overdrive sound you just won't find this side of expensive multi-stage tube boutique amplifiers," and the maker goes further, saying "we truly believe that Ego Boost n' Drive is the world's best-sounding overdrive."1
The idea behind the pedal is that overdrive and boost serve different jobs. T-Rex frames overdrive as "probably the single most important sound in the history of the electric guitar," and the Ego Boost n' Drive adds a separate, fully adjustable boost on top of it, placed after the overdrive circuit. The maker's pitch is that "you can lift that gorgeous overdrive out of the mix whenever you need to," which is the classic use for a post-overdrive boost: solos and lead parts that sit above the rhythm tone without changing its character.1
The controls
The pedal carries seven controls on its face, which is more than a typical overdrive. Each does a distinct job1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| On/off switch | Turns the overdrive on and off |
| Boost switch | Engages the boost function |
| Volume | Sets the pedal's output level |
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Blend | Mixes the overdrive with the clean signal from your amp |
| Tone | Shapes the treble response |
| Boost | Sets the boost level, fully adjustable |
The blend knob is the control that sets this pedal apart from a straightforward overdrive. T-Rex says it "features a convenient BLEND knob that lets you mix your overdrive with the clean signal from you amp," so you can run drive and clean together rather than choosing one or the other.1 The boost knob sits after the overdrive, so raising it pushes the driven tone forward in level rather than adding more distortion.1
Power and specifications
The Ego Boost n' Drive connects via an input jack, an output jack and a 9V DC jack, with T-Rex naming its own FuelTank as the power source. Its input impedance is higher than 1M Ohm @ 1KHz, and its output impedance is lower than 1K Ohm @ 1KHz.1
The pedal draws 50 mA at 9V DC, which is higher than many simple overdrives. Battery life is listed at 6 to 9 hours, so a dedicated 9V DC supply is worth planning for on a pedalboard.1
Other specifications from T-Rex:
- Input impedance: higher than 1M Ohm @ 1KHz
- Output impedance: lower than 1K Ohm @ 1KHz
- Connectors: input jack, output jack, 9V DC jack
- Size incl. knobs (W x H x D): 100 x 55 x 120 mm1
The input impedance above 1M Ohm means the pedal presents a light load to your guitar's pickups, in line with what players expect from a true bypass overdrive.1
Where it sits in the T-Rex range
T-Rex builds several overdrive-adjacent pedals, and the Ego Boost n' Drive's combination of drive, blend and post-drive boost is its own approach within that group. Players comparing it against other T-Rex drives can look at the T-Rex Moller 2, the T-Rex Alberta II and the T-Rex Mudhoney II, or at the T-Rex Karma if a standalone boost is what they are after. For a wider view of the category, see Overdrive Pedals and Boost Pedals1.
Videos
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Questions
Is the T-Rex Ego Boost n' Drive true bypass?
Yes. T-Rex specifies True Bypass switching for the Ego Boost n' Drive, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes through without going through the overdrive circuit. That matters on a pedalboard where several pedals in a row can each load down the signal.
How long does a battery last in the Ego Boost n' Drive?
T-Rex lists battery life at 6 to 9 hours with a 9V 6F22 battery. For regular playing that is a fairly short run compared with many pedals, so a 9V DC power supply is the practical choice for most players.
What does the blend knob do on the Ego Boost n' Drive?
The blend knob lets you mix the overdrive signal with the clean signal from your amp. That means you can keep some of your guitar's untouched tone underneath the drive, which is useful for holding on to clarity at higher gain settings.
What voltage range does the Ego Boost n' Drive accept?
T-Rex specifies a minimum supply of 8V DC and a maximum of 12.5V DC, with the pedal designed around a 9V DC supply such as the T-Rex FuelTank. Current draw is 50 mA at 9V DC.
How much does the Ego Boost n' Drive weigh?
T-Rex lists the weight, excluding packaging, at 0.335 kg, or 11.8 oz. Pedal size including knobs is 100 x 55 x 120 mm, or 3.9 x 2.2 x 4.7 inches, W x H x D.
Sources (1)
- → T-REX EFFECTS ← Pedals for guitar and bass players!, T-Rex Effects
